Kane County Reporter

As the national inflation rate once again reached a more than 40-year high, Illinois State Sen. Donald DeWitte (R-St. Charles) continued to criticize his Democratic colleagues for failing to consider laws that would bring meaningful tax relief to Illinois families. 

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics issued its latest Consumer Price Index (CPI) summary on July 13, which found costs have increased 9.1 in the last year. In the last month, the cost of energy rose by 7.5%, gas prices jumped 11.2%, and the cost of food increased by 1%.

"Enough is enough," DeWitte said in a July 18 post on his website. "Legislators in Illinois have the ability to provide some real relief. If and when lawmakers return to Springfield for a special session, the General Assembly must enact legislation that puts real money back into the pockets of struggling Illinois families. We can do this by capping the state's sales tax on motor fuel at 18 cents per gallon and permanently eliminating the state's sales tax on groceries and medicine. I am a leading co-sponsor of this legislation. It was filed months ago and continues to be ignored by the Majority Party."

According to Illinois Policy, Illinoisans are paying about $4,386 more this year on the same goods and services than they were in 2021. It's estimated in fuel alone, the average Illinois resident will spend an extra $1,222. 

Three years ago, Gov. J.B. Pritzker (D-IL) doubled the state's gas tax from 19 to 38 cents, Fox 32 Chicago reported. Pritzker also instituted an annual gas tax increase. Democrat lawmakers previously passed legislation delaying this year's gas tax increase until January, but also required gas stations to display stickers on pumps explaining the delay or face a fine. Josh Sharp, President and CEO of The Illinois Fuel and Retail Association, called the stickers "free election year advertising for the Governor." Illinois Policy reported the delay was part of a bundle of tax rebates and delays included in the record $46.5 billion FY 23 budget. It's estimated the delays will save about $556 for the average Illinois family. 

Back in March, DeWitte and Sen. Dave Syverson (R-Cherry Valley) introduced SB 4195, which would put a cap on the state's gas tax and would save about $1 billion for Illinois taxpayers during the next fiscal year, according to a press release from DeWitte's office. The release also noted Illinois is one of about 7 states in the country to charge a sales tax on top of a state gas tax.